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Mar 4 MENTAL MUTHA MEETS MY JEWISH MOMMY LIFE

MENTAL MUTHA MEETS MY JEWISH MOMMY LIFE

Are you a mental Mum or a Mum that’s mental?

I’m a mom who lives by the whim of her heart with a worrying mind quietly watching over it all.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

I am a normal person who actually meditates. Like I don’t wear yoga pants and sit in a forest I literally go into my closet, turn off the lights, shut the door and indulge in my own thoughts. I practice a version of Jewish meditation where I repeat a line of prayer that speaks to me over and over until all the other thoughts are pushed away. Then when the moment is right, I say a little prayer of my own.

Do you discuss your mental health with your mum mates?

Rarely to never, I suppose because it never seems like the right time to bring it up?

How do you tackle mental health chats with your kid’s?

With my one and half year old I like to use phrases like ‘I understand you’re sad that we can’t eat the crackers off the floor, but we will eat something else and you will feel better soon’. It sounds silly, but I’m a big proponent of not dismissing children’s feelings. When you’re little you really have little control of much in your life (not even your bowel movements!) and that can be a frustrating way to live. As a mom, I’m trying to raise a little gentlemen who knows it’s ok to cry.

Who helps you in the dark? (In your pits, your mental rock bottom - who is your hero?)

My two feet take me on a walk and that’s always my first step in feeling better. I’m also fortunate to have a husband, family and friends who are there for me. Oh and two dogs, who never tire of hearing me go on about who said what to whom and how that made me feel. Sometimes they fall asleep when I really drone on but that’s to be expected.

What helps you in the light? (Meditation? Procrastination? Perspiration? People?)

My son is the best person to be happy with, he smiles when I smile, he laughs when I laugh, and he runs around the kitchen screaming...anytime I turn my back.

Is it hard to talk about your mental health? (Doesn't mean on Instagram necessarily, but do you feel the stigma is lifting and do you feel safe to speak your mind, even if it is possibly 'mental'?)

I don’t think it’s hard I think it’s dangerous, the sad historical reality is that mental health (or lack thereof) has been used as a legal weapon against women.

Where’s your head at?

I’m in a ‘gotta put in hard work to make the dream work’ frame of mind. I’m writing a book, working on my YouTube channel and am feeling the joy of this focused effort.

SOFT PLAY OR REHAB?

Definitely soft play, I’m most tempted to climb in the ball pit myself.

JACOBS CREEK OR A JACOBS CRACKER?

Creek.

NUT JOB OR NUT ALLERGY?

Oy hopefully neither.

SELF CARE OR SELF SABOTAGE?

Self care in theory, self sabotage in the presence of birthday cake.

JOURNAL OR JOG?

Instagram, the photo journal of those of us who believe in ‘pics or it didn’t happen.’

ASK FOR HELP OR HAPPY TO HERMIT?

Always ask, but try to be willing to accept it too.

FOLLOW MARION

Marion is a content creator who started one of the first Mommy YouTube channel about being a Jewish mom. On her MyJewishMommyLife channel (www.YouTube.com/MyJewishMommyLife) and Instagram page she shares her experiences as a mother to her baby boy, focused on living a meaning-FULL Jewish family life.

If you'd like to read more conversations with Mental Muthas, click HERE.

Women talking unashamedly about their mental health and parenting innit.